SEZ6 AND NEURONAL CALCIUM SIGNALLING IN SYNAPSE DEVELOPMENT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,685.00
Summary
Inappropriate development and function of neuronal circuits is a universal feature of neurological disorders of cognition such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders and Fragile X mental retardation, epilepsy, schizophrenia and Alzheimer�s disease. In these diseases, neurons exhibit abnormal neuronal branches (dendrites) and abnormal connections on dendritic spines. This research is aimed at understanding the mechanisms controlling dendrite development that underpin proper neuronal wiring.
Neurogenesis In The Amygdala And Hippocampus: A Role In Learnt Fear?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,396.00
Summary
It has long been thought that neurons are only born once and then slowly die. Learning and memory formation is thought to occur by changes in the strength of connections between living neurons. However, the hippocampus is now known to produce new neurons throughout life. We have found that neurons are also born in the adult amygdala. In this project we will study how neurogenesis affects learning and memory formation that involve the hippocampus and amygdala.
The Role Of The Ras Signalling Molecule, C3G, In The Interaction Of Neural Precursor Cells And Their Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$319,446.00
Summary
Developmental brain disorders affect 1-3% of the population. The mental retardation disease spectrum includes neuronal migration disorders and neural precursor proliferation disorders. We propose to study a molecular mechanism regulating neuronal migration, survival and proliferation. We have identified a protein, C3G, which is essential for three aspects of nervous system development: (A) C3G limits neural precursor cell proliferation. (B) C3G is essential for neuronal survival. (C) C3G is cruc ....Developmental brain disorders affect 1-3% of the population. The mental retardation disease spectrum includes neuronal migration disorders and neural precursor proliferation disorders. We propose to study a molecular mechanism regulating neuronal migration, survival and proliferation. We have identified a protein, C3G, which is essential for three aspects of nervous system development: (A) C3G limits neural precursor cell proliferation. (B) C3G is essential for neuronal survival. (C) C3G is crucial for neuronal migration. C3G acts in a cascade of proteins, known as the Ras signalling pathway, which transmits signals from the extracellular environment into the cell nucleus to elicit appropriate responses of the cell to cues from the outside. We will identify proteins that, together with C3G, affect the important processes of neural precursor proliferation, and neuron survival and migration. This project will fully characterise a key regulatory mechanism of cellular processes crucial to the development of normal intelligence.Read moreRead less
THE ROLE OF UBIQUITIN LIGASE ADAPTOR PROTEIN NDFIP1 IN NEURONAL DEVELOPMENT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,813.00
Summary
Many brain diseases are characterized by faulty connections between nerve cells (neurons), in some cases caused by the inability to remove unwanted proteins from the neuron. This function is carried out by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). We have evidence that a UPS protein called Ndfip1 is important for forming functional brain circuits. We aim to discover whether neuron growth, branching and connectivity is promoted by Ndfip1 targeting of PTEN (phosphatase with tensin homology) to the UP ....Many brain diseases are characterized by faulty connections between nerve cells (neurons), in some cases caused by the inability to remove unwanted proteins from the neuron. This function is carried out by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). We have evidence that a UPS protein called Ndfip1 is important for forming functional brain circuits. We aim to discover whether neuron growth, branching and connectivity is promoted by Ndfip1 targeting of PTEN (phosphatase with tensin homology) to the UPS.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Embryonic Origins Of Cortical Malformations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$815,228.00
Summary
Cortical malformation leads to mental retardation and epilepsy. Identification of the aberrant developmental processes contributing to these devastating syndromes is essential for accurate clinical assessment and development of novel therapeutics. Here we investigate a developmentally important receptor, Neogenin, which when mutated, leads to cortical malformations. Determining how Neogenin functions is expected to uncover new signaling pathways contributing to these malformations.
Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Of Development And Regeneration In The Olfactory System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,773.00
Summary
During development of the fetal brain, cells are wired together. The correct wiring patterns are essential for normal function of the brain. Growth and formation of new connections decreases after birth. For this reason, the repair of the damaged adult nervous system is limited. However, there is one region in the nervous system that exhibits continual growth and repair throughout life. This is the nerve that is responsible for smell and connects the nose to the brain. The aim of this study is t ....During development of the fetal brain, cells are wired together. The correct wiring patterns are essential for normal function of the brain. Growth and formation of new connections decreases after birth. For this reason, the repair of the damaged adult nervous system is limited. However, there is one region in the nervous system that exhibits continual growth and repair throughout life. This is the nerve that is responsible for smell and connects the nose to the brain. The aim of this study is to identify the processes that permit continual growth within this region of the nervous system.Read moreRead less
Understanding the biological mechanisms of nerve degeneration is an essential step toward the development of novel therapies for human neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, and for spinal cord injuries. The studies presented in this proposal, using the powerful molecular and genetic tools available for the small nematode worm C. elegans, will provide new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for nerve degeneration.
How Can Trafficking Of The Tumour Suppressor PTEN Affect Normal And Abnormal Brain Development?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,977.00
Summary
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is estimated to affect 1 in every 100 children. Currently we have no medical treatments to cure the disease. PTEN is a tumor suppressor that has been genetically linked to autism as it functions to inhibit cell growth that can result in abnormal brain development. In this grant we aim to study the location and function of PTEN and how failure of this system can result in neurodevelopmental diseases such as autism.
Identifying Genetic Pathways Underlying The Development Of Distinct Neuronal Subtypes Among Midbrain Dopamine Neurons.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,709.00
Summary
There is an urgent need in the field of Parkinson's disease (PD) research to develop new strategies aimed at halting progression of the disease (neuroprotection) and alleviaing the symptoms (restorative therapy). This project employs a novel and innovative design to identify genes expressed specifically by the cell type most effected in PD and therefore provide new genetic targets for neuroprotective and resorative therapy.